The 10 Best Outsourced CFO Services for Growing Businesses in 2026

Reggie's cost segregation business looked successful from the outside.

Clients were coming in. Revenue was steady. The service was solid.

But every time Reggie tried to grow (hire help, spend on marketing, raise prices) the numbers fell apart.

Margins were unclear and the juice wasn't worth the squeeze.

Reggie was awesome at cost segregation… but terrible at running a startup.

Overhead wasn't tracked properly. Billing didn't reflect real costs and profit was more of a feeling than a fact.

It wasn't until Reggie outsourced CFO services that things changed.

Within weeks, the fog lifted.

Costs started making sense. Pricing got smarter. Growth stopped feeling risky and started feeling intentional.

The business didn't change but the accounting of it all did.

Lesson learned...

10 Best Outsourced CFO Services to Consider

1. Pilot

Best for: Startups and venture backed companies

Backed by notable venture investors including Bezos Expeditions, Pilot specifically serves startups and high growth companies. They offer full service bookkeeping, CFO services, and tax preparation tailored to the startup lifecycle.

Key Features:

• Experience with venture backed companies and fundraising metrics

• Investor ready financial reporting

• Cap table management support

• Integration with startup friendly tools (Stripe, Brex, Mercury)

Pricing: Custom pricing based on business complexity; typically $1,500 - $5,000+/month

2. Paro

Best for: Flexible, project based CFO expertise

Paro operates as a marketplace connecting businesses with vetted finance professionals, including fractional CFOs. You can hire for ongoing relationships or specific projects like financial modeling, M&A support, or FP&A buildout.

Key Features:

• Access to 3,000+ finance professionals

• Flexible engagement models (hourly, project, fractional)

• Average 48 hour matching time

• Professionals averaged 15+ years experience

Pricing: Typically $150 - $300/hour depending on expertise level

3. Founder's CPA

Best for: Real estate investors and small business owners

Despite the name, Founder's CPA offers comprehensive CFO services beyond tax preparation. They specialize in businesses with complex entity structures, including real estate investors using multiple LLCs and partnerships.

Key Features:

• Real estate investment expertise

• Entity structure optimization

• Tax strategy integrated with financial planning

• Monthly CFO calls and quarterly strategic sessions

Pricing: Starting around $2,500/month for CFO services

4. inDinero

Best for: Comprehensive back office outsourcing

inDinero provides full stack finance and accounting, from bookkeeping through CFO-level strategy. They combine technology, accounting, and tax services into a single platform, making them ideal for companies wanting to outsource their entire finance function.

Key Features:

• All-in-one platform (accounting + tax + CFO services)

• Dedicated account team

• Real-time dashboard access

• Specialization in eCommerce and SaaS

Pricing: Starting around $1,000/month; CFO services typically $3,000 - $6,000+/month

5. Strategic CFO

Best for: Traditional businesses and manufacturing companies

Unlike many tech services, Strategic CFO specializes in traditional industries including manufacturing, distribution, and construction. They bring decades of experience helping "Main Street" businesses improve profitability and manage growth.

Key Features:

• Industry specific expertise (manufacturing, construction, distribution)

• Profitability improvement focus

• Cash flow management and working capital optimization

• Exit planning and business valuation

Pricing: Custom pricing; typically $4,000 - $8,000/month

6. Kruze Consulting

Best for: Funded startups (through Series B)

Kruze exclusively serves venture backed startups, handling 800+ clients including Y Combinator and Techstars companies. They understand startup accounting nuances like ASC 606 revenue recognition, equity compensation, and fundraising financial preparation.

Key Features:

• Startup GAAP accounting expertise

• R&D tax credit specialization (recovered $40M+ for clients)

• 409A valuations and stock option administration

• Benchmark data from hundreds of startups

Pricing: Starting around $2,000/month; scales with funding stage and complexity

7. airCFO

Best for: Startups from pre-seed through Series B funding

airCFO provides back office solutions specifically built for startups. With over a decade of experience helping founders raise billions in funding, they combine technology services with startup expertise across accounting, finance, tax, and people operations.

Key Features:

• Hybrid model combining technology with expert advisory

• Real-time financial dashboards and tools (yours to keep as you scale)

• Full back office coverage (accounting, finance, tax, people ops)

• Proven track record: clients have raised $20B+ in total funding

• 80% cost savings vs. hiring full-time finance team

Pricing: Custom pricing based on stage and complexity

8. Decimal

Best for: Businesses prioritizing technology and automation

Decimal combines fractional CFO services with heavy automation and modern software integration. They focus on companies that want real financial visibility and data-driven decision making.

Key Features:

• Technology first approach

• Real time dashboards and KPI tracking

• Scenario planning and financial modeling tools

• Extensive third party integrations

Pricing: Starting around $2,000/month; scales with complexity

9. Anders CPAs + Advisors

Best for: Companies wanting integrated CPA and CFO services

Anders combines traditional CPA services with strategic CFO advisory, making them ideal for businesses that want tax planning tightly integrated with financial strategy. They serve middle-market companies across various industries.

Key Features:

• Big 4 experience at mid-market pricing

• Industry specialization teams (real estate, manufacturing, auto dealerships)

• Succession and exit planning

• International tax and transfer pricing for global businesses

Pricing: Custom based on scope; CFO services typically $5,000 - $12,000/month

10. CFO Selections

Best for: Matching businesses with independent fractional CFOs

Rather than providing CFOs directly, CFO Selections operates as a matchmaking service, connecting businesses with independent fractional CFOs in their network. This model offers more flexibility in finding the right cultural and expertise fit.

Key Features:

• Curated matching based on industry and need

• Independent contractor relationships (direct with CFO)

• No long term contracts required

• Nationwide coverage

Pricing: Varies by CFO, typically $5,000 - $15,000/month

What Does an Outsourced CFO Actually Do?

Before selecting a provider, it's important to understand what you're getting. Outsourced CFO services typically include:

How to Choose the Right Outsourced CFO Service

1. Match Industry Expertise

The best outsourced CFO for a SaaS startup is completely different from what a manufacturing company needs. Prioritize providers with deep experience in your specific industry.

2. Define Your Actual Needs

Are you looking for:

• Strategic guidance only (board level CFO work)?

• Full finance department replacement?

• Project based expertise (fundraising, M&A, system implementation)?

• Bookkeeping + strategy combined?

Be clear about what level of service you need before shopping.

3. Evaluate Technology Capabilities

Modern outsourced CFOs should be proficient in:

• Cloud accounting platforms (QuickBooks Online, Xero, NetSuite)

• FP&A tools (Jirav, Mosaic, Finmark)

• Business intelligence (Tableau, Power BI, Looker)

• Your industry specific software

Ask about their tech stack during vetting.

4. Understand Pricing Models

Outsourced CFO services typically price in three ways:

• Retainer: Fixed monthly fee for defined scope

• Hourly: Pay for actual time spent

• Project based: One time fee for specific deliverables

Most ongoing relationships work best on retainers, but clarify what's included and what triggers additional fees.

5. Check References in Your Revenue Range

A CFO who excels with $50M companies may struggle with $2M startups (and vice versa). Ask for references from businesses at your current stage and the stage you're growing toward.

6. Assess Communication Style

You'll interact with your outsourced CFO regularly, weekly or monthly at minimum. Make sure their communication style matches your preferences. Some CFOs are highly analytical and data focused; others are more strategic and big-picture oriented.

It All Comes Down To This

Outsourced CFO services have really evolved over the last decade. What used to be a backup plan for companies that couldn’t afford a full-time financial expert has now become the go-to choice, even for those who can easily pay a salary of $250K or more.

A great outsourced CFO helps you save money and also brings in strategic advice that can really boost your growth. Start by figuring out exactly what you need, then chat with 3 to 4 providers who have experience in your industry.

Most of them offer free initial consultations, which is a perfect opportunity to see if they’re the right fit for you before making any commitments. Your business finances are too important to leave to chance.

The right outsourced CFO can be the ally that propels your company to new heights.